I have owned my 205 for many years and flown around a large part of the US. I too faced the same problem as you, (What am I ?) I was told by several FAA types during phone calls that I was a Super Skylane. I felt a bit uneasy calling myself "Super" anything, so I like Mike, just use Cessna. When an occasional controller asks what type Cessna, I respond with 205, there is usually a long pause and then the response, "OK Cessna xxx. I have asked and never had a controller know what to call a 205. Use whatever, hope your having fun and enjoying your new purchase.

I'm with Robw56.

I had ATC ask me what I was, at Hailey, Idaho (Sun Valley), by the "fast talking" controller. After I told him 170 he asked again. I stated "Cessna 170, Slow." After that he seemed happy.

*But for anyone going in & out of SUN, the guy with the southern drawl always called me a sky wagon. I always thought this was funny.

flying a'48 C-170 at the time.
byeBill

Zzz wrote:

Hafast wrote:"Shaggin Wagon"

I think that will be obvious once the entire family spills out of the machine.

x3 on Stationair. Whether it's technically accurate or not based on the lineage, I think it best represents the aircraft's appearance and capabilities for anyone trying to spot you or sequence you.

Now that is funny!

I thought we had some ATC guys on here. More out of curiosity I'd like to hear their take on it. When I get back to work, I'll have to ask a controller or two and see what they say.

I got in the habit years ago of just calling every Cessna I've flown "Cessna". When the TR182 was a brand new model, when ATC would ask "what type Cessna" and I said TR182, there'd usually be a long pause, because they weren't yet attuned to a 182 capable of going that fast. Now with my P172D, when they ask, I usually say "hotrod 172", which seems to satisfy them, since it does go a tiny bit faster than a stock one. But most of the time, they don't ask--after all, most of the time they can see how fast I'm going on their scopes.

Cary

Assuming you have a POH (Pilot Operating Handbook), look on the front cover and see what is says.

Hey Gump, many years ago I was flying with a fellow that used the call sign "Twin Seneca XXXX"
He just didn't understand that all Seneca's were "Twins". Bless his heart

I laughed every time he said it.

Good idea! Just went and checked and all it says is "Model 205".

How bout
"Superbadassflyingfamilytruckster"
Er, I think I will stay outta this

Chuck

When flying the Clipper I would just describe myself as "Piper xxxxx". The first time I flew it locally the controllers asked what model and I told them it was a PA-16/Clipper. They must not have known what that was because from then on they referred to me as "super cub" or "super cruiser"! I never corrected them and was so proud because I'm sure they were referring to my stellar ability to fly that thing !

I vote for just saying "cessna". The jets call themselves "citation" and everyone else is slower! From what it sounds like throughout this thread, you can pretty much call yourself whatever you want as long as you say "cessna" first !

Congrats on the new bird!

CW

The jets call themselves "citation" and everyone else is slower!

There are folks who would disagree with "everyone else is slower!"

Cary

Guess it is all relative. We refer to Citations as speed bumps.

Cary wrote:

The jets call themselves "citation" and everyone else is slower!

There are folks who would disagree with "everyone else is slower!"

Cary

I guess you're right. Especially since Cessna bought the Lancair offspring. Didn't a Lancair beat a Citation in a "race" from the west coast to New York? I seem to remember hearing about something like that. Not sure if the Corvallis holds the same ability but I'm sure it's fast.

We live in such a touchy feely world maybe you should refer to it based on how you feel. If you feel really backcountryish call it a Skywagon , If you're feeling kind of rich call it a Corvallis, if you're feeling bored call it a Skyhawk, or maybe you're feeling a little weird and you can call it a Skymaster!

Can't wait to hear what you finally settle on though. The suspense is killing me.

CW

While flying out of my homebase Class C in my 170 I was lamenting the fact I had no fancy name for the 170. The conversation was always this is Cessna xxxx blah blah balh and then they reply say type cessna. One day I tell this controller I need a fancy name and he suggested Rooster Rocket, I suggested Thunder Chicken. Now when I here him talking I come on as Thunder Chicken and he never forgets I am a 170. Steve

Coyote wrote:While flying out of my homebase Class C in my 170 I was lamenting the fact I had no fancy name for the 170. The conversation was always this is Cessna xxxx blah blah balh and then they reply say type cessna. One day I tell this controller I need a fancy name and he suggested Rooster Rocket, I suggested Thunder Chicken. Now when I here him talking I come on as Thunder Chicken and he never forgets I am a 170. Steve

My kind of controller. It's just a JOB!

EB

I had a Beech 56 TC (thunder chicken)(TIO541) 380 hp.
Also had a Machen S Bonanza, (had the TSIO540 in it) Had to let some controllers know that a Bo could fly at 21,000' @ 250 kts, a couple still wouldn't believe me!!
Had fun with the 195, always replied, Cessna Business Liner! Usually had to telem what it was!!
When I brought the Broussard back from Florida last year there were a few questions??
Call it what ever you like!!
GT

Call it what you think it looks like. My skylane with a tail wheel looks like a skywagon, so why would I say skylane? In the pattern I want to be recognized for what I look like....got my ass ate out last year by young CFI because I used colors instead of tail numbers

Terry wrote:Call it what you think it looks like. My skylane with a tail wheel looks like a skywagon, so why would I say skylane? In the pattern I want to be recognized for what I look like....got my ass ate out last year by young CFI because I used colors instead of tail numbers

If you were operating at an uncontrolled airport, you SHOULD be using type and color, rather than tail number. If someone is close enough to read your tail number, you've got bigger problems, and identifying the aircraft by its appearance is simply good operating procedure.

Lose that CFI, or educate him.

Me, I always use "Yellow Cessna is left downwind foe runway xx". They know where I am and what to look for to identify me. And perfectly legal.

MTV

I always use "Cessna 170" unless I'm at a controlled field... Which is barely ever. Sometimes I get crap for it but it makes more sense to me to do it that way.

I am probably wrong but I believe that your N number is also your FCC radio call sign which is required as part of your authorization to use your transmitter to say you are "yellow Cessna". The full call sign has an initial transmission and every so many minutes requirement.

Tim

Tim,

Yep, that's why the CB truckers who call themselves "Ghostrider", "Fat Al" etc are constantly being fined by the FCC.
.
The FCC could give a crap less what you call yourself on an aircraft radio band.

UND uses the "Sioux" call sign (soon to go away, I suppose...hostile you know) and the "Green" call sign for solo students.

In DOI, we used "Interior XX" as a call sign.

MTV